Methods and systems for proximity communication

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems to provide proximity based communication between users of proximity communication devices (“PCD”). A localized communication network is established by peer-to-peer communication between PCDs. Each PCD communicates with other PCDs in a localized, peer-to-peer network structure. Each PCD is identified to other PCDs in its own localized area by its geographical position (i.e., its relative proximity to each other PCD). A user may therefore establish communications with another user based upon the other user&#39;s proximity or location relative to the first user&#39;s PCD rather than a fixed ID code such as a phone number or address. No centralized server or telephony network system is required for each PCD to communicate with another PCD. Well known protocols for call connection may be adapted for use in establishing, operating, and terminating connections between PCDs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to communication systems and morespecifically relates to methods and systems for communicating amongcommunication devices identified by physical location and/or relativeproximity.

2. Statement of the Problem

Numerous types of communication systems are known, commerciallyavailable and particularly suited to one or another particularapplication. For example, standard “landline” telephony networks permita user to establish communications through a vast switched network tovirtually any other point on the globe having similar landlinecommunication systems. Or, for example, cellular telephony utilizesfrequency transceivers and related protocols to couple an end user'scellular telephone to a nearby cellular tower. Cellular tower basestations forward digitized voice data, analog voice data or otherdigital data to other towers as a cell phone moves out of range and alsoforwards user data for coupling to standard landline based switchedtelephony systems. Thus cellular telephone users may connect with anylandline telephone equipment or other cellular telephone users (coupled,in turn, to landline switched telephone networks through respective celltower base stations).

In general, all such telephony communication systems are limited in twoimportant respects. First, end user devices may communicate with oneanother only via a centralized server or network system (e.g., viarespective cellular base stations and/or switched telephony networks).Landline telephony systems provide a network of switching devices toestablish circuits between two or more end user telephone devices (orother data or voice communication devices). Cellular base stations atopcellular towers are required for cellular telephone users to establishconnections with land based telephony systems or other cellulartelephone users. If these centralized servers or networks are for anyreason unavailable, no communication may be established between endusers of the communication devices.

Secondly, to establish a call connection between two end user devices, atelephone number or other indicia (e.g., network address, ID, etc.) mustbe supplied to identify the other device with which communications areto be established. This indicia is static regardless of where the useris located and is required information to establish a call connection.

Radio frequency based communication systems such as citizens band (“CB”)radios. or simple “walkie talkie” radio devices do not require acentralized server or communication node but rather communicate directlyfrom one end user's radio device to other user radio devices. However,radio communication systems do not generally provided for establishing aspecific point-to-point call between one end user radio device and oneor more particular, identified other end user radio devices. Rather,radio communication systems generally operate in a broadcast mode suchthat all users whose transceivers tuned to a particular frequency orchannel receive every transmission on that frequency or “channel”. Noprivate communication links may be established under such typical radiobased communication systems. Although transmissions may be encrypted orscrambled, any radio device equipped with the proper decryption code andwithin transmission range can receive and decrypt the transmissions. Nospecific user or device may be identified in typical radio frequencybased communication systems. Further, radio based communication systemsgenerally do not provide for any protocol to establish the beginning ofa call connection and the termination of an established connection.Radio communications are merely established by beginning transmission ofa broadcast signal and ended when a user chooses to cease termination.Another weakness of radio based communication systems arises in thatuser data (voice or other data) is not encoded for spread spectrum highspeed communications.

In a number of communication applications, it may be desirable orrequired to ensure continued communication capabilities without havingto rely on a centralized server/network or communication tower. In anemergency scene response communication application or in a militarycombat communication application, it is important that the communicationsystems operate despite loss or failure of a central server/network orcell tower base stations. A communication system based on a centralizedserver/network or a cellular base station tower may be easily disabledby eliminating the central server or tower.

Further, it may be beneficial in many communication applications topermit establishment of a call connection (initiation of a call) to aspecific device identified based on its geographical location (i.e., itsphysical proximity to the initiator of the call). Still further, inaddition to location attributes to identify another communicationdevice, it may be useful to identify a desired device for communicationbased upon other attributes of the user or the communication device.

For example, in a military context, it may be useful for militarypersonnel in combat to be able to communicate with another soldier orother personnel based upon physical proximity to the initiator of thecall. In other words, call “the closest reinforcements”. There may be nosimple way to identify a phone number or other identifying address forthe “nearest” personnel. Or, for example, it may be beneficial toinitiate a call to the nearest personnel having particular attributecapabilities. In other words, call the nearest “EMT” personnel or callthe nearest soldiers “with heavy artillery” or call the nearest “medic”,etc. Presently known communication systems do not provide simpletechniques for identifying such personnel or attributes of anothercommunication device and do not provide mechanisms to directly set upcommunications with such identified devices.

Similarly, in another exemplary application of communication systems,first responders in a rescue or emergency operation such as firefighters, emergency medical technicians, police, etc., may desirecommunication systems that locate the nearest personnel for assistanceor the nearest personnel with particular capabilities. Similar tomilitary applications as noted above, rescue or emergency operations inthe context of a disaster such as earthquakes or the collapse of abuilding may be significantly hindered if a central server orcommunication tower is disabled by the disaster they seek to address.

It is evident from the above discussion that a need exists for animproved communication architecture providing mobility, reliability andlocation oriented identification of communication devices and users.

SUMMARY OF THE SOLUTION

The invention solves the above problems and other problems with methodsand systems for proximity based communications. Proximity basedcommunication systems and methods in accordance with features andaspects hereof may utilize radio frequency or other wirelesstransmission media and techniques to permit peer-to-peer communicationbetween suitable proximity communication devices. Features and aspectshereof do not depend upon a centralized server/network or cellular basestation towers that may be disabled. Further, features and aspectshereof do not require a user to identify the recipient of an initiatedcall by a phone number or other address indicia. Rather, thepeer-to-peer proximity communication devices and methods hereof permitestablishment of a call connection based principally upon geographicallocation (i.e., based upon proximity to the proximity communicationdevice (“PCD”) of the call initiator. Other features and aspects hereofpermit location information for each PCD to be associated with otherattribute data such that the recipient of an initiated phone call may beidentified by proximity to the call initiator in combination with otherattribute information. Still other features and aspects hereof combineproximity communication features within a PCD with standard cellular orother wireless communication protocols to permit both proximitycommunication capabilities and other prior radio or telephonycommunication protocols.

A first feature hereof provides a system for proximity communicationcomprising: a plurality of proximity communication devices (“PCD”)wherein each PCD comprises: a locator to determine the geographiclocation of said each PCD; and a wireless transceiver for exchanginginformation between said each PCD with other PCDs wherein theinformation exchanged includes location of each of said plurality ofPCDs and wherein the information exchanged further includes user data,wherein said each PCD is adapted to establish a connection with anidentified PCD of said other PCDs based on the location of saididentified PCD.

Another aspect hereof further provides that the locator is a GPSlocator.

Another aspect hereof further provides that the location is an absolutelocation including longitude and latitude.

Another aspect hereof further provides that the location is a relativelocation locating said each PCD relative to a reference point.

Another aspect hereof further provides that the location is dynamic andwherein the current location of each PCD is periodically exchanged amongall the PCDs

Another aspect hereof further provides that the location is used by saideach PCD to determine the relative proximity of each PCD to each otherPCD of the plurality of PCDs and wherein said each PCD is furtheradapted to establish a connection with one or more identified PCDs basedon the relative proximity of said each PCD to said each other PCD.

Another aspect hereof further provides that the exchanged informationincludes attributes of each of said other PCDs and wherein said each PCDis further adapted to establish a connection with said identified PCDbased on the attributes of said identified PCD.

Another aspect hereof further provides that the user data includes voicedata and non-voice data.

Another aspect hereof further provides that at least one PCD of theplurality of PCDs further includes: a wireless telephonic transceiver toprovide connectivity to a telephone network in addition to connectivityamong said plurality of PCDs.

Another aspect hereof further provides that the telephone network is acellular telephone network.

Another feature provides a method for proximity based communicationcomprising: synchronizing wireless communication among a plurality ofproximity communication devices (“PCD”); generating a first unique codeassociated with each of the plurality of PCDs; determining the initiallocation associated with each of the plurality of PCDs; broadcasting thefirst unique code and the initial location associated with each of theplurality of PCDs from each PCD to all other PCDs; and establishing atleast one call connection between a first PCD and a second PCD basedupon the initial location information exchanged between the first PCDand the second PCD.

Another aspect hereof further provides for: periodically resynchronizingthe wireless communication among the plurality of PCDs.

Another aspect hereof further provides for: periodically determining acurrent location associated with each of the plurality of PCDs; andbroadcasting the current location associated with each PCD from each PCDto all other PCDs.

Another aspect hereof further provides that the step of establishingfurther comprises: establishing at least one call connection from thefirst PCD to the second PCD based upon the initial location informationor based upon the current location information exchanged between thefirst PCD and the second PCD.

Another aspect hereof further provides that the step of establishingfurther comprises: selecting the second PCD within the first PCD basedupon the initial location information or based upon the current locationinformation; sending a connection request from the first PCD to thesecond PCD wherein the connection request is encoded using the firstunique code associated with the second PCD and wherein the connectionrequest includes parameters of the desired connection; receiving theconnection request within the second PCD; and establishing the requestedconnection in accordance with the parameters included in the receivedconnection request.

Another aspect hereof further provides for: responsive to establishmentof the requested connection, exchanging scrambled information betweenthe first PCD and the second PCD where the scrambled information isencoded using scrambling key information exchanged between the first PCDand the second PCD in establishing the requested connection.

Another aspect hereof further provides for: generating a PCD ID for eachPCD; and

generating said scrambling key information, wherein the step ofbroadcasting further comprises: broadcasting the PCD ID and scramblingkey information for each PCD from said each PCD to all other PCDs.

Another aspect hereof further provides for: verifying the uniqueness ofeach PCD ID received in each PCD in response to the broadcasting; andresponsive to detecting a non-unique PCD ID by operation of the step ofverifying, performing the steps of: regenerating an alternate PCD IDassociated with the particular PCD that detected the non-unique PCD ID;and re-broadcasting the alternate PCD ID for the particular PCD from theparticular PCD to all other PCDs.

Another aspect hereof further provides that the step of establishingfurther comprises: establishing multiple call connections between afirst PCD and multiple other PCDs, wherein the method further comprises:responsive to establishment of the multiple call connections,duplicating the exchange of information between the first PCD and anyone of the multiple other PCDs to exchange the same information betweenthe first PCD and each of the multiple PCDs, wherein each of themultiple call connections is encoded using a distinct scrambling code.

Another feature hereof provides a method operable in a proximitycommunication device (“PCD”) having a GPS locator device and having awireless transceiver and having a user interface element to interactwith a user, a method comprising: receiving location information fromother PCDs using the wireless transceiver; presenting the receivedlocation information to a user on the user interface element; receivinguser input from the user input element indicate one or more other PCDsselected by the user based upon the presented location information;establishing a call connection with each of the one or more other PCDsusing the wireless transceiver; and exchanging substantially the sameinformation with each of the one or more other PCDs using the wirelesstransceiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a proximity communication system embodyingfeatures and aspects hereof.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary proximity communication devicein accordance with features and aspects hereof.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart describing exemplary operation of a proximitycommunication system as in FIG. 1 operable in accordance with featuresand aspects hereof.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing exemplary methods operable in aproximity communication device as in FIG. 2 to initialize the device inaccordance with features and aspects hereof.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart describing exemplary methods operable in aproximity communication device as in FIG. 2 to normally operate thedevice to update information in the system and to establish callconnections in accordance with features and aspects hereof.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart providing additional details of an exemplary callmanagement and processing protocol in accordance with features andaspects hereof.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart providing additional details of an exemplary callmanagement and processing protocol in accordance with features andaspects hereof.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart providing additional details of an exemplary dataexchange in an established call in accordance with features and aspectshereof.

FIG. 9 is a timeline diagram describing an exemplary call management anddata exchange process between two proximity communication devices inaccordance with features and aspects hereof.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart providing additional details of an exemplarychannel synchronization protocol in accordance with features and aspectshereof.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart providing additional details of another exemplarychannel synchronization protocol in accordance with features and aspectshereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of teaching inventive principles in the followingdiscussion, some conventional aspects of the invention have beensimplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciatevariations from these embodiments that fall within the scope of theinvention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the featuresand aspects described below can be combined in various ways to formmultiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention is notlimited to the specific embodiments described below, but only by theclaims that follow and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a proximity communication system 100providing features and aspects hereof. System 100 may comprise anynumber of proximity communication devices. PCDs 104, 106, and 108 ofFIG. 1 each represent proximity communication devices providingtelephonic features for a user. Telephonic features as used hereinrefers to communication of voice and non-voice data between twoappropriately configured telephonic PCDs. PCD 106 and 108 are configuredto provide such telephonic features within the context of proximitycommunication system 100. By contrast, PCD 104 provides telephonicfunctionality within the context of proximity communication system 100and also provides features to permit telephonic communication throughwell-known cellular telephony systems. PCD 104 therefore provides dualfunctionality to permit communication both in the context of proximitycommunication system 100 and standard cellular telephony throughcellular base station tower 120.

In like manner, proximity communication system 100 may include PCDdevices offering data processing and computing functionality. PCD 102and 110 represent computing devices adapted for communication withinproximity communication system 100. PCD 110 is adapted exclusively forcommunication within proximity communication system 100 while PCD 102represents a dual capable computing device operable to communicate in aproximity communication system 100 as well as in a cellularcommunication structure such as cellular base station tower 120. PCDdevices 102 and 110 are exemplary of devices that generally exchangenon-voice user data. Laptop/notebook computers and PDAs are examples ofsuch devices that primarily exchange non-voice related user data. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will recognize the numerous equivalentdevices capable of providing only voice data exchange, only non-voicedata exchange or both voice and non-voice data exchange. For example,modem cellular telephonic devices are capable of exchanging both voicedata and non-voice data with other similarly equipped devices. In likemanner, PDAs or computers may exchange both non-voice data and voicedata. The distinctions between such devices has faded in importance andis at times irrelevant. Thus, those of ordinary skill and the art willrecognize that any number and any variety of PCD capable devices may beutilized within exemplary proximity communication system 100.

Proximity communication system 100 permits identification of each PCDprincipally by its present location as distinct from a fixed telephonenumber or other fixed address indicia. As discussed further hereinbelow, each PCD in proximity communication system 100 is capable ofoperating in a peer-to-peer mode to communicate with any other PCD insystem 100. No centralized server or cellular base station is requiredfor operation of proximity communication system 100. Rather, each PCD ismade aware of all other PCDs in proximity communication system 100 andmay establish private communication channels with one or more other PCDsin system 100. Each PCD is identified principally by its presentlocation relative to each other PCD. As discussed further herein below,GPS or other absolute location information may be used to establish anabsolute location which may then be converted to relative locationinformation to locate a PCD relative to other PCDs.

Since each PCD establishes a peer-to-peer connection with one or moreother PCD, there is no central server/network required to establishcommunication. Proximity communication locale 112 is not a centralserver or network but rather simply represents any geographical areadefined by the transmission and reception range limitations of theparticular wireless transceiver technologies utilized within PCDs 102through 110 of system 100.

All PCDs 102 through 110 within system 100 exchange information duringinitialization and periodically thereafter to indicate their presentphysical position. The present physical position of a PCD may bedetermined by the PCD, for example, by global positioning system (“GPS”)technology embedded within each PCD. During initialization, each PCDdetermines its absolute location based upon the GPS information andcommunicates it (broadcasts it) to all other PCDs within the range ofproximity communication locale 112. Each PCD therefore also receivesbroadcast location information from each other PCD so that it maydetermine the relative position for each of the other PCDs in the system100. Such relative position information may therefore be used by a userto select one or more other PCDs with which a communication channel isto be established (i.e., with which a call connection is to beestablished).

In accordance with features and aspects hereof, each PCD is mobile andmay freely move about anywhere within the range of proximitycommunication locale 112. Further, a particular PCD may be identified bya user from another PCD based on location information only rather thanrequiring apriori knowledge of a telephone number or other addressindicia. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize thatother identification information, in addition to present location, maybe exchanged between the PCDs of system 100. Therefore, in accordancewith features and aspects hereof, a user may also select one or moreother PCDs with which to establish a call connection based on presentlocation of the other PCDs and other attributes identified andassociated with each PCD. For example, such other attributes may includecapabilities associated with the location or available at the locationof the PCD, name or other indicia associated with a user of another PCD,etc.

By contrast to proximity communication system 100, standard telephoniccommunication systems such as PSTN switch 140 and associated landlinetelephones 150 are restricted in their mobility and requireidentification of each telephone by a particular telephone numberregardless of its present location. Cellular telephony systemsrepresented as cell phone 130 coupled by wireless communication tocellular base station tower 120 provide mobility as compared to landline telephone systems but none the less require identification of aparticular cell phone by its telephone number regardless of its presentphysical location. Landline telephony systems and cellular telephonysystems also both require a centralized server or cell tower basestation to permit communication between two landline telephones orbetween a cell phone and any other telephone device. Failure of theserver/network or the cellular base station may render all associatedtelephone equipment unusable.

Proximity communication system 100 may utilize any of several wellknown, commercially available, wireless communication protocols andstandards. For example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”)defines wireless transmission standards and associated protocols forestablishing connections and associated channels and also defines aframework for the interconnection of the various protocols. For example,in accordance with 3GPP standards, PCDs may use spread spectrum encodingtechniques to multiplex a number of logical channels of data on a commoncarrier frequency band. Code division multiple access (“CDMA”) encodingtechniques are one form of spread spectrum encoding and may be appliedin PCDs to permit multiplexing of a variety of logical channels over asingle, low power radio frequency carrier.

As will be discussed further herein below, such spread spectrumcommunication techniques permit a large number of logical channels to bedefined within a single frequency band for radio frequency (“RF”)transmissions. CDMA spread spectrum techniques generally define eachchannel by a digital code value used to encode (to spread) the data fora corresponding channel within a transmitted bitstream. Thesuperposition of a plurality of such CDMA spread spectrum signalchannels helps reduce the potential for intentional interference oreavesdropping because the superposition of multiple such channel signalsresults in a low power signal appearing virtually indistinguishable frombackground noise in the transmission medium. Only by knowing thespecific code word for a particular logical channel can a receivereffectively isolate the intended channel data from the other superposedsignals making up background noise relative to the desired channel. Suchspread spectrum techniques and standards defined by 3GPP standards arewell known to those of ordinary skill in the art and readily availablefor commercial use.

One particular feature of 3GPP standards useful in the proximitycommunication system features and aspects hereof derives from thedefinition of two forms or phases of encoding. A first form or phase ofencoding is the channellization or channel separation encoding toeffectuate the spread spectrum modulation of multiple logical channelsmultiplexed in a single frequency band. A second form or phase ofencoding is referred to as scrambling or source separation in thecontext of 3GPP. Scrambling codes or source separation codes are used todefine dedicated channels between a particular pair of PCDs that have anestablished call connection. The scrambling code defines such dedicatedchannels and, in conjunction with other secure communication techniqueshelps to further reduce potential for inadvertent or intentionaleavesdropping or capture of transmitted data.

Still another aspect of 3GPP wireless standards useful in the context ofa proximity communication system derives from the use of time divisionduplex or frequency division duplex to further multiplex informationtransmitted over a logical spread spectrum channel. Time division duplex(“TDD”) or frequency division duplex (“FDD”) paradigms may be useful inthe context of PCD communication for segmenting full duplex uplink anddownlink transmissions.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a wide variety ofequivalent modulation and multiplexing techniques for providing wirelesscommunications useful in the context of proximity communication featuresand aspects hereof.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram describing an exemplary embodiment of a PCD.As generally noted above, a PCD may be any device that provides voicedata exchange and/or non-voice data exchange utilizing peer-to-peercommunication protocols in accordance with features and aspects hereof.An exemplary PCD (102-110 of FIG. 1) includes a GPS locator element 200or other equivalent location determination components. GPS locator 200is operable to determine the present absolute location of the PCDrelative to the globe or relative to any other fixed point of referencedefined by the specific locator technology. Devices and methodsassociated with such a GPS locator or other locating technologies arereadily available and well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

An exemplary PCD also includes a wireless transceiver element 202capable of transmitting and receiving data in accordance with theprotocols and standards adopted for a particular proximity communicationsystem. PCD protocols and standards may utilize any appropriate wirelesscommunication modulation and protocol standards. Although a simpleembodiment of such a dual function PCD may separate the cellulartelephony communications in a different frequency band than that usedfor proximity communications, it may also be feasible to integrate thetwo communication systems in a common frequency band with separationbased upon logical channel definitions.

An exemplary PCD may optionally include a cellular telephony or computernetwork wireless transceiver element 204 to permit dual functionality ofthe PCD both for use in the context of a proximity communication systemand for use in other wireless communication applications such aswireless computing networks and cellular telephony. Such a dual purposePCD may therefore allow communications both within a proximitycommunication system and in conjunction with other prior communicationstructures.

User interface 220 provides for presenting information to a user and forreceiving user input. For example, an LCD or other display device may beincluded within user interface 220 for presenting information regardingits PCD and other PCDs within the proximity communication system. Userinterface 220 may include touch screens, pointer devices, voice inputfunctions, and other well-known user interface functions and elementsmay also provide structure and functionality to receive the user input.For example, in a proximity communication system in accordance withfeatures and aspects hereof, each PCD is identified to a user of anotherPCD by, at least, its relative location to the user's PCD. Such locationinformation may be presented to a user, for example, by an icon or othergraphical representation of each other PCD located on an LCD screen in amanner indicative of the devices relative location with respect to theusers PCD. Further, a user may select one or more such other PCDs withwhich to establish a call connection through use of user input devicessuch as a touch screen, pointer or other well-known user input functionsand devices.

Control processor/memory 206 provides overall control of the PCD througha number of functional elements including, for example, user interactionelement 208, proximity determinator 210, voice data processor 212, andnon-voice data processor 214. Numerous other control functions will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therepresentative functions are therefore intended merely as exemplary ofsignificant aspects in operation of a PCD.

Control processor/memory 206 may be any suitable general or specialpurpose processor and associated program and data memory for storing andexecuting instructions to provide the depicted, exemplary functions(208-214) and other functions and features useful for wirelesscommunication management. User interaction element 208 representsprogrammed instructions or other processing elements to interact withuser interface element 220 providing output information to a user andreceiving user input. Proximity determinator element 210 representsprogrammed instructions or other processing elements to interact withGPS locator 200 to determine the PCD's present location and to interactwith information received through wireless transceiver 202 representinglocation information of other PCDs in the system. Proximity determinator210 therefore may determine the relative position of each other PCDrelative to each user's PCD. Voice data processor 212 representsprogrammed instructions or other processing elements to transmit andreceive human voice digitized information. The most common applicationof PCDs in a proximity communication system is to exchange voiceinformation such as is common in telephony systems. Non-voice dataprocessor element 214 represents programmed instructions or otherprocessing elements to transmit and receive non-voice related digitaldata. PCDs including PDA or general purpose computing functionality mayfrequently exchange non-voice data while PCD elements providingprimarily telephonic features may principally exchange voice data intheir operation. However, as noted above, each device may be capable ofexchanging both voice and non-voice data.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize numerousequivalent architectures within the scope of the attached claims forcomponents within a PCD. Those not adapted to provide the features andaspects of the present invention, various functional elements of a PCDare generally commercially available and well known to those of ordinaryskill in the art. For example, GPS locator 200, wireless transceiver202, telephony transceiver 204, user interface 220 and processor 206 arewell known commercially available components. Further, it will berecognized that numerous other functional elements may be present in anequivalent architecture to provide the above and other features andaspects.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart describing the overall operation of an exemplaryproximity communication system. Element 300 represents processing withineach PCD of the proximity communication system to initialize the PCD. Ingeneral, initialization of each PCD involves determining its locationusing GPS components and techniques, generating a unique ID for each PCDto be used in protocol exchanges, generating spread spectrumchannellization and scrambling codes for each PCD, etc. Element 302begins listening and broadcasting to exchange initial information amongthe PCDs initially within the proximity communication system. Inaddition, element 302 resolves conflicts between PCDs thatcoincidentally selected an identical unique ID code. Resolution of suchconflicts may be performed in accordance with any of several well-knowntechniques. For example, each PCD that detects a conflict may randomlyselect a new ID that does not conflict with any other IDs in thereceived broadcast information. As each PCD listens for informationbeing broadcast from the other PCDs it builds a table with ofinformation regarding each PCD in the proximity communication system.Further details of initialization of each PCD are provided herein belowwith respect to FIG. 4.

New PCDs may periodically join the proximity communication system or maydrop out of the proximity communication system as new users arrive anddepart the locale in which the proximity communication system isoperating. Element 304 therefore represents processing to periodicallyupdate the PCD information for each PCD in the proximity communicationsystem. The periodically updated information to be broadcast mayinclude, for example, an updated current location for each PCD, theunique ID for each PCD, spreading and scrambling code values, etc. Theupdated information may be periodically broadcast over a control channelsuch that every PCD may receive the information by listening to the samecontrol channel.

In addition to periodically updating information exchanged between thevarious PCDs, in element 304 each PCD performs processing to maintainsynchronization with the control channel used for broadcastinginformation as well as for initially establishing desired callconnections. As discussed below, numerous approaches may be employed toestablish and maintain synchronization among the plurality of PCDs.

Element 306 then proceeds with normal operation of the system forexchange of user data among two or more PCDs these using thepeer-to-peer channels defined in accordance with features and aspectshereof. After some period of time exchanging user data or in response toreceipt of new broadcast information from another PCD, processingcontinues looping back to element 304 to periodically update the PCDinformation exchanged between the various PCDs of the proximitycommunication system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing additional details of initialization ofan individual PCD in the context of a proximity communication system.Element 400 is first operable to generate a unique PCD temporary ID(“PTI”). The PTI may be useful in protocols used for exchanginginformation between multiple PCDs. In particular, the PTI may be usefulas an index to locate other information regarding a particular PCD froma table of entries regarding the system of PCDs. Element 402 thengenerates one or more In-Link spreading codes—a spreading code usedfirst phase scrambling (as the term is defined in 3GPP standards).Channellization codes in accordance with 3GPP standards define astandard set of channels used by all communication devices in a system.Further source separation is achieved by second phase scrambling thatseparates the communication between pairs of communicating PCDs. Element402 is therefore responsible for generating first phase scrambling codesfor this PCD for communication over dedicated channels with this PCD.Alternatively, as noted herein below, source separation codes for aparticular communicating pair of PCDs may be generated by processingassociated with establishing the desired call connection.

Element 404 next interacts with the GPS element within the PCD to obtainlocation information regarding the initial location of the PCD. As isgenerally known in the art, GPS receivers receive information thatidentifies an absolute geographic location on the planet for thereceiving device. The initial location of this PCD may therefore be anabsolute location as determined by GPS receivers. Alternatively, theinitial location may be determined as any other location coordinatesincluding relative locations relative to some nearby fixed referencepoint. The initial location may therefore also be a relative locationrelative to some reference point. Such a relative location may beestablished by element 402 by any other means similar to that of GPSstandards and protocols.

In order for all PCDs to exchange initial information in preparation fornormal operation, all PCDs may be synchronized to utilize a commoncontrol channel available to each PCD (e.g., encoded with a spreadingcode known to all PCDs). At initialization, each PCD may synchronize itsbitstream for that predefined control channel. Well known frame and slotlevel synchronization techniques as defined in the 3G standards may beapplied to the PCD synchronization processing of step 406. In general, asynchronization channel (“SCH”) is defined in the carrier transmissionas an un-encoded predetermined bit sequence. Such synchronizationtechniques as defined in the 3G standards are common and well known inthe context of cellular telephony. However, unlike cellular telephony,proximity communication systems in accordance with features and aspectshereof do not rely on a central server or cellular base station toprovide the synchronization channel stream. Rather, in accordance withfeatures and aspects hereof, each PCD during initialization listens tothe defined synchronization channel to determine if any other PCD hasbegun transmitting the synchronization bit pattern. If not, the firstPCD to achieve this level of initialization commences transmission ofthe standard synchronization bit pattern on the synchronizationun-encoded channel. Each subsequent PCD proceeding throughinitialization will then detect another PCD already transmitting thesynchronization sequence. Subsequent PCDs initializing may thensynchronize to the first PCDs synchronization channel transmissions.Each PCD having so synchronized then joins in the transmission on thePCD SCH channel so that every initialized PCD is simultaneouslytransmitting the same synchronization bit pattern on the synchronizationchannel. Thus, any PCD may drop out of the proximity communicationsystem without losing synchronization for all other remaining PCDs inthe system. Alternatively, timing signals received from GPS satellitesand therefore common to all PCDs in a proximity communication system maybe used to synchronize broadcast communication channels as well asdedicated control and data channels.

With the PCD now synchronized to use a common control channel, element408 is then operable to listen on a control channel for broadcastinformation from other PCDs in the proximity communication system. AllPCDs may first listen for broadcast information for a period of timeduring initialization to obtain information about other PCDs in thecommunication system. As information broadcast from other PCDs isreceived, the information may be recorded in tables or memoriesassociated with this PCD for later use.

After a period of time listening for broadcast information from otherPCDs, element 410 will determine whether any conflicts are detected inthe generated initial information for this PCD and that of any other PCDreceived in the broadcast information. Conflicts may be detected in thePTI value (ID value) generated for this device or may be found in thespreading codes generated for use in transmissions to this PCD. Ifelement 410 detects a conflict in this initial information, processingloops back to element generate new PTI and spreading codes and themlisten again to detect any new possible conflicts.

When element 410 detects no conflict, element 412 broadcasts the initialinformation for this PCD on a common control channel—i.e., a logicalbroadcast channel defined in the spread spectrum transmissions andshared by all PCDs to exchange such information. The broadcastinformation may include the PTI and the In_Link spreading codesgenerated for the initializing PCD as well as initial locationinformation derived from the GPS component of the PCD. Element 414 thencommences normal operation of the PCD having completed initialization.Normal operation may continue periodic broadcasts of the updated currentlocation information as well as the initial PTI and spreading codesgenerated above. Further details of exemplary normal operation areprovided herein below with respect to FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart describing additional details of the processingof element 406 of FIG. 4 to establish synchronization among theplurality of PCDs in the system. Element 1000 first determines whetherany other PCD has already started transmitting the synchronization bitsequence on the synchronization channel. If not, there is no signal tosynchronize to yet, this PCD is the first to get this far ininitialization. Element 1006 is next operable to start transmitting thesynchronization bit sequence to allow other PCDs to synchronize to thistransmission. If element 1000 determines that another PCD has alreadystarted transmitting the synchronization pattern, then element 1002 and1004 are operable to sample the transmitted stream on thesynchronization channel and to synchronize to the detected sequence.Having so synchronized, the PCD then starts transmitting the samesynchronization bit pattern on the synchronization channel insynchronization with all other PCDs having completed this level ofinitialization. Since all PCDs in the system will be transmitting thesame synchronization signal, loss of any one PCD will not prohibitcontinued operation of the system by losing synchronization orprecluding addition of other PCDs.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart describing another technique for synchronizingthe transmissions of all PCDs. A GPS locator device may be incorporatedin each PCD as noted above. GPS signaling standards provide that a vastarray of satellites provide a number of signals to terrestrial basedreceivers. Principally these signals are used to identify the absolutelocation of the receiver on the surface of the Earth (i.e., longitudeand latitude). In addition, certain signals provide a globallysynchronized clock signal. This clock signal may be used by each PCD tosynchronize transmissions. For example, each PCD may synchronize to asignal starting at each full second increment of the clock or at otherparticular mutually agreed upon markers in the clock signals. Element1100 of FIG. 11 therefore describes additional details of such analternative embodiment of element 406 of FIG. 4 above. Element 1100represents processing to synchronize the transmissions of this PCD tothe GPS clock signals received by the GPS locator portion of the PCD.

FIG. 5 describes two methods operable substantially in parallel and incombination representing exemplary normal operation of a PCD followingcompletion of initialization. A first method represented by elements 500through 504 maintains synchronization for communication on the controlchannel and also updates broadcast information (“UBI”) regardinglocation and other parameters associated with each PCD in the proximitycommunication system. A second method in FIG. 5 operable substantiallyin parallel with the first method is represented as elements 510 through540 to allow establishment of call connections between this PCD and oneor more other PCDs in the proximity communication system.

Elements of 500 through 504 represent a method operable in aninitialized PCD to maintain synchronization and to update exchangedbroadcast information on a control channel shared by all PCDs in theproximity communication system. Element 500 is operable to listen forupdates to the broadcast information from other PCDs. As noted, new PCDsmay join the proximity communication system from time to time. Element500 is therefore operable to listen to the control channel for suchbroadcast information regarding new PCDs and to detect the absence ofbroadcast information from PCDs previously participating in theproximity communication system. As information is derived from listeningfor broadcast updates by element 500, tables within the PCD are updatedto reflect the updated broadcast information. Element 502 is thenoperable to periodically re-synchronize communications on the controlchannel. As noted above, in a proximity communication system inaccordance with features and aspects hereof, there is no central serveror cellular base station to maintain synchronization for allcommunication devices. Rather, all PCDs participating in the proximitycommunication system continuously transmit the synchronization patternon a synchronization channel of the proximity communication system.Thus, as new PCDs are added to the communication system and undergoinitialization, it is assured that there is always at least one PCDalready participating in the proximity communications system assured tobe generating the necessary synchronization pattern to permitinitialization of the new PCD device. Element 504 is then operable toperiodically broadcast updated location and other information from thisPCD to all other PCDs and the proximity communication system. Thebroadcast information is transmitted on a control channel so that otherPCDs listening for such updated broadcast information may receive theinformation on the control channel. Processing then continues loopingback to element 500 to continuously iterate through listening forupdated information, maintaining synchronization on the control channel,and periodically updating location and other information regarding thisPCD.

Substantially in parallel with the method described above, elements 510through 540 are operable to manage the call connection process. Element510 is first operable in response to detecting some event requestingestablishment of a new call connection between this PCD and one or moreother PCDs. Element 510 determines whether the detected event is arequest from a user of this PCD to make a call connection with one ormore other PCDs or whether the detected event is a request from a remotePCD attempting to establish a call connection with this PCD. If therequest is a user request, element 520 is operable to initiate a callconnection process to the PCD identified by the user input based uponlocation information and optionally identified by other attributes ofthe identified PCD. As noted above, user input to request such a callconnection may typically be in the form of selecting a PCD based uponlocation information associated with each PCD in the proximitycommunication system. Other attributes such as capabilities or featuresassociated with the PCD, a username or other identification associatedwith the user of the PCD, etc., may be included as other selectioncriteria in the user's selection process. Further, the user may selectmultiple PCDs with which a call connection is to be established.Multiple selected PCDs may receive identical data transmissions (voiceor non-voice data) from this PCD by a multicast or duplicatetransmission to each of the multiple selected PCDs.

Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatdedicated logical channels used to communicate between this PCD and oneor more selected PCDs may be established by generating scrambling codesin element 520 at the time of selecting the PCDs with which tocommunicate. Regardless of when the scrambling codes are defined, thecodes are exchanged between the PCDs to be connected in a call anddefine the logical channels to be used for each communicating pair ofPCDs. Various well known security techniques may be employed to secureeach logical channel from eavesdropping by other PCDs not involved incommunication between the corresponding connected pair of PCDs.

Once element 520 has completed establishing the requested callconnection to one or more other identified PCDs, element 540 is thenoperable to exchange user data via the established connections.Communication with multiple PCDs may involve duplicating the transmitteddata to each of the multiple PCDs connected to this PCD by operation ofelement 520. When element 540 has completed its exchange of userinformation or data, a final message may be sent to all PCDs involved inthe established connection or connections to request tearing down of theestablish connection. Tearing down an establish connection entailsfreeing the various private communication channels established byoperation of element 520.

If element 510 determines that the detected event is a request from aremote PCD to establish the call connection with that remote PCD,element 530 is operable to appropriately respond to the remote requestfor a call connection. Having thus established the requested callconnection, element 540 is then operable as discussed above to commenceexchange of user information or data via the established logicalchannels of the connection. As noted above, upon completion of all userdata exchange, a final tear down message may be sent to the logicalchannel to release logical channels and other resources consumed ordefined by establishment of the channel connection.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 provide additional details regarding the operation ofelements 520, 530, and 540, respectively. FIG. 6 provides additionaldetails regarding the operation of element 520 (of FIG. 5). Element 600is first operable to send a connection request to the one or moreidentified other PCDs. The connection request message is encoded usingthe In_Link spreading code of the other PCD. The In_Link code from theother PCD may be determined based upon the table of information storedwithin this PCD and gathered from the broadcast information duringinitialization of PCDs in the proximity communication system. As notedabove, if multiple PCDs are identified for establishing callconnections, element 600 transmits a connection request to each such PCDto request a connection with each other identified PCD. Element 602 thenawaits receipt of a confirmation message from each other PCD to which arequest was sent indicating acceptance and successful completion ofestablishment of the requested call connection.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart describing additional details of the operation ofelement 530 of FIG. 5. Element 700 is operable to return aconfirmation/acknowledgment message to the requesting PCD indicatingsuccessful completion of the connection request. Having so successfullycompleted the connection request, the first and second PCDs may commenceexchange of user data as described above.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing additional details of the operation ofelement 540 of FIG. 5. Element 800 is first operable to send user datato another PCD having a data channel established in response to therequest and confirmation return messages in FIGS. 6 and 7 above. Theexchange of user data by element 800 is performed on a data channelassociated with the initiating PCD. The scrambling codes generated andexchanged between the communicating PCDs are used to encode thetransmissions to each PCD. Where multiple call connections are requestedand established, element 800 represents the exchange of data duplicatedover multiple dedicated channels between the various multiple pairs ofconnected PCD pairs. Further, as noted above, upon completion of theexchange of user data, element 800 may also operate to transmit a teardown message to the PCDs involved in established connections. The teardown message is processed by each receiving PCD by the deallocatingresources allocated for the call connection.

The processing of FIGS. 6-8 represent a simplified call processingmessage protocol to establish and terminate a call connection betweentwo PCDs. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that anysuitable call processing messaging protocol may be employed in theproximity communication system hereof. A call processing protocolprovides a number of messages for establishing and destroying a callconnection between a PCD and one or more other PCDs. For example,standard cellular telephony call processing protocols as well asstandards published by 3GPP provide such call processing messagingprotocols. Though these standard call processing protocols are rich withfeatures not needed in the proximity communication features and aspectshereof, simplified subsets of these standard protocols may be used toprovide useful call connection processing features and aspects hereof.As a matter of design choice, these standard protocols may be used ormodified or a customized protocol structure may be developed.

3GPP and other telecommunication standards define a number of logicaland physical channels useful in the call processing protocols. Severalof these standard channel definitions may be useful in the proximitycommunication features and aspects hereof. The following 3GPP standardlogical and physical channels are exemplary of channels that may beuseful in implementing call processing protocol exchanges in accordancewith features and aspects hereof:

Channel Usage

BCH Broadcast Channel

CCCH Common Control Channel

DCCH Dedicated Control Channel

DCH Dedicated Channel

DPCCH Dedicated Physical Control Channel

DPCH Dedicated Physical Channel

DPDCH Dedicated Physical Data Channel

DTCH Dedicated Traffic Channel

PCCPCH Primary Common Control Physical Channel

SCCPCH Secondary Common Control Physical Channel

SCH Synchronization Channel

In general, a control channel is used to exchange commands and controlinformation between two PCDs while a data or traffic channel is used toexchange application or user data (i.e., voice data and non-voice datain the proximity communication system). Control and other standardchannels may be encoded using channellization codes as generally definedby 3GPP and other standards. In general, dedicated channels are encodedusing the source separation or scrambling code associated with thereceiving PCD in a requested or established connection. Non-dedicatedchannels utilize a channelization code known to all PCDs of the systemand may thus be shared by all PCDs. The synchronization channel (SCH)and broadcast channel (BCH) are examples of un-encoded non-dedicatedchannels shared by all PCDs in the proximity communication systemhereof. The SCH may be used for a periodic transmission of a standardsynchronization bit pattern. The BCH channel may be used to broadcastlocation and other information about each PCD for consumption by allPCDs in the proximity communication system. The traffic channel (DTCH)may be used by PCDs after establishment of a connection to exchange userdata. The common control channel (CCCH) may be a channel shared by allPCDs in the system for, among other things, transmitting a callconnection request message. The dedicated control channel (DCCH) may beused in establishing a connection for control messages following thetransmission on CCCH of the connect request.

FIG. 9 is a diagram providing another form of description of anexemplary protocol defined for the proximity communication system inaccordance with features and aspects hereof. FIG. 9 represents atimeline presentation of PCD initialization, call connectionestablishment, and data exchange through an established connection. Inthe timeline diagram of FIG. 9, time is advancing downward in the FIG. Avertical line labeled PCD1 represents processing associated with the PCDdesiring to initiate the call connection while the vertical line labeledPCD2 represents processing associated with the recipient of a connectionrequest. Box 900 represents processing performed by both PCDs (all PCDs)of a proximity communication system. All PCDs in a proximitycommunication system initialize themselves by first establishing thedevice specific broadcast information (UBI) for its configuration. Asnoted above, the UBI may include the first phase scrambling code usedfor communicating with this PCD as well as location informationindicating that initial location of the corresponding PCD and otherattributes and indicia useful in selecting a PCD to establish a callconnection.

Having completed initialization, box 901 represents a connect requestmessage structure generated by processing within PCD1. A connectionrequest message may include a number of parameters including aconnection type (e.g., voice, non-voice, or both), a data rate indicatorto allow a receiving PCD to determine whether it has capacity to handlethe requested connection, etc. The connection request parameters mayalso include miscellaneous other parameters for a dedicated controland/or data channel to be utilized by the requested call connection.Lastly, the connection request includes the second phase code (i.e., ascrambling code) used to encode data to be transmitted to this PCD1.Arrow 902 represents transmission of the formatted connect request overthe common control logical channel (CCCH) applied to the secondarycommon control physical channel (SCCPCH). This message may beencoded/scrambled with the phase 1 scrambling code of PCD2 that wasbroadcast as part its UBI.

Box 903 represents receipt and processing of the connection requestwithin PCD2. The PCD2 transceiver decodes the received message asrequired. PCD2 then establishes the necessary logical channels forcommunications with PCD1 in accordance with the parameters received inthe connection request. Typically, a number of dedicated logical andphysical channels may be configured to permit the intended communicationbetween PCD1 and PCD2. In particular, a dedicated control channel (DCCH)and a dedicated traffic channel (DTCH) may be created to allow transferof control information and user data, respectively, between PCD1 andPCD2. These logical dedicated logical channels may be formed by applyingthe second phase scrambling code in accordance with 3GPP specifications.In addition, a dedicated physical control channel (DPCCH) and adedicated physical data channel (DPDCH) may be created for the spreadspectrum modulation of control and user data, respectively, between PCD1and PCD2.

Box 904 represents construction of a connect request acknowledgmentmessage to be sent from PCD2 back to PCD1 acknowledging its readinessfor exchange of data. Parameters of the connect request acknowledgemessage may include the second phase code desired for communications toPCD2 and other parameters for the dedicated logical channels created byPCD2. Arrow 905 represents transmission of the connect requestedacknowledge message from PCD2 to PCD1 using the newly created dedicatedcontrol channel. Arrow 906 represents receipt of a simple message fromPCD1 to PCD2 indicating its handshake completion of initialization andtherefore, PCD1's readiness to exchange data on the established logicaland physical channels. This message may be encoded/scrambled with thephase 1 scrambling code of PCD1 that was broadcast as part its UBI.Alternatively, the returned confirmation message may be encoded usingthe 2^(nd) phase scramble code for PCD1 rather than the phase 1scrambling code.

Arrows 908 and 910 represent exchange in each direction of user datautilizing the dedicated data channel created for the establishedconnection. These data transmissions may be encoded using the secondphase scrambling code of one of the connected PCDs (i.e., PCD1 or PCD2).When the initiator of the call connection (PCD1) recognizes completionof the desired exchange, arrow 912 represents the transmission of a teardown message using the dedicated control channel to permit PCD2 torelease allocated resources and prepare for another connection.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the exemplary,simplified call connection protocol discussed above with respect toFIGS. 5 through 11 are merely intended as suggestive of one possibleprotocol useful in the proximity communication system providing featuresand aspects hereof. Numerous equivalent protocols may be designed as amatter of design choice or existing call processing protocols such ascellular telephony call processing protocols may be utilized. However,extraneous additional features in the cellular telephony call processingprotocol not required for this simpler application may simply be ignoredand a small subset of standardized call processing messages can beutilized. Alternatively, a larger, richer subset of call processingfeatures may be adopted in the proximity communication system to permitfurther enhanced features. Further, those of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that any suitable collection of logical and physicalchannels may be defined for the connection between any two PCDs.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in the drawingsand foregoing description, such illustration and description is to beconsidered as exemplary and not restrictive in character. One embodimentof the invention and minor variants thereof have been shown anddescribed. Protection is desired for all changes and modifications thatcome within the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art willappreciate variations of the above-described embodiments that fallwithin the scope of the invention. In particular, those of ordinaryskill in the art will readily recognize that features and aspects hereofmay be implemented equivalently in electronic circuits or as suitablyprogrammed instructions of a general or special purpose processor. Suchequivalency of circuit and programming designs is well known to thoseskilled in the art as a matter of design choice. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific examples and illustrationsdiscussed above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A system for proximity communication comprising: a plurality ofproximity communication devices (“PCDs”) wherein each PCD comprises: alocator to determine the geographic location of said each PCD; awireless transceiver for exchanging information in one or morepeer-to-peer connections between said each PCD with other PCDs whereinthe information exchanged includes location of each of said plurality ofPCDs and wherein the information exchanged further includes user data;and a display for presenting information relating to location of saidother PCDs relative to said each PCD, wherein said each PCD is adaptedto establish a peer-to-peer connection with an identified PCD of saidother PCDs wherein said peer-to-peer connection is a digital connectionthat establishes synchronization and digital channels by operation ofthe PCDs connected by the peer-to-peer connection, and wherein theidentified PCD is selected by said each PCD based on the location ofsaid identified PCD as displayed on said each PCD.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the locator is a Global Positioning System (GPS)locator.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the location is an absolutelocation including longitude and latitude.
 4. The system of claim 1wherein the location is a relative location locating said each PCDrelative to a reference point.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein thelocation is dynamic and wherein the current location of each PCD isperiodically exchanged among all the PCDs.
 6. The system of claim 1wherein the location is used by said each PCD to determine the relativeproximity of each PCD to each other PCD of the plurality of PCDs andwherein said each PCD is further adapted to establish a connection withone or more identified PCDs based on the relative proximity of said eachPCD to said each other PCD.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein theexchanged information includes attributes of each of said other PCDs andwherein said each PCD is further adapted to establish a connection withsaid identified PCD based on the attributes of said identified PCD. 8.The system of claim 1 wherein the user data includes voice data andnon-voice data.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one PCD of theplurality of PCDs further includes: a wireless telephonic transceiver toprovide connectivity to a telephone network in addition to connectivityamong said plurality of PCDs.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein thetelephone network is a cellular telephone network.
 11. A method forproximity based communication comprising: synchronizing wirelesscommunication among a plurality of proximity communication devices(“PCDs”) wherein the step of synchronizing establishes bit-levelsynchronization for decoding encoded digital information exchangedbetween the plurality of PCDs; generating a first unique code associatedwith each of the plurality of PCDs; determining the initial locationassociated with each of the plurality of PCDs; broadcasting the firstunique code and the initial location associated with each of theplurality of PCDs from each PCD to all other PCDs; and establishing atleast one call connection between a first PCD and a second PCD basedupon the initial location information exchanged between the first PCDand the second PCD, wherein said call connection is a peer-to-peerdigital connection that establishes synchronization and digital channelsby operation of the first and second PCDs connected by the peer-to-peerdigital connection.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:periodically resynchronizing the wireless communication among theplurality of PCDs.
 13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:periodically determining a current location associated with each of theplurality of PCDs; and broadcasting the current location associated witheach PCD from each PCD to all other PCDs.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein the step of establishing further comprises: establishing atleast one call connection from the first PCD to the second PCD basedupon the initial location information or based upon the current locationinformation exchanged between the first PCD and the second PCD.
 15. Themethod of claim 14 wherein the step of establishing further comprises:selecting the second PCD within the first PCD based upon the initiallocation information or based upon the current location information;sending a connection request from the first PCD to the second PCDwherein the connection request is encoded using the first unique codeassociated with the second PCD and wherein the connection requestincludes parameters of the desired connection; receiving the connectionrequest within the second PCD; and establishing the requested connectionin accordance with the parameters included in the received connectionrequest.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: responsive toestablishment of the requested connection, exchanging scrambledinformation between the first PCD and the second PCD where the scrambledinformation is encoded using scrambling key information exchangedbetween the first PCD and the second PCD in establishing the requestedconnection.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: generating aPCD ID for each PCD; and generating said scrambling key information,wherein the step of broadcasting further comprises: broadcasting the PCDID and scrambling key information for each PCD from said each PCD to allother PCDs.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: verifying theuniqueness of each PCD ID received in each PCD in response to thebroadcasting; and responsive to detecting a non-unique PCD ID byoperation of the step of verifying, performing the steps of:regenerating an alternate PCD ID associated with the particular PCD thatdetected the non-unique PCD ID; and re-broadcasting the alternate PCD IDfor the particular PCD from the particular PCD to all other PCDs. 19.The method of claim 11 wherein the step of establishing furthercomprises: establishing multiple call connections between a first PCDand multiple other PCDs, wherein the method further comprises:responsive to establishment of the multiple call connections,duplicating the exchange of information between the first PCD and anyone of the multiple other PCDs to exchange the same information betweenthe first PCD and each of the multiple PCDs, wherein each of themultiple call connections is encoded using a distinct scrambling code.20. In a proximity communication device (“PCD”) having a GPS locatordevice and having a wireless transceiver and having a user interfaceelement to interact with a user, a method comprising: receiving locationinformation from other PCDs using the wireless transceiver; presentingthe received location information to a user on the user interfaceelement; receiving user input from the user interface element toindicate one or more other PCDs selected by the user based upon thepresented location information; establishing a call connection with eachof the one or more other PCDs using the wireless transceiver whereineach said call connection is a peer-to-peer digital connection thatestablishes synchronization and digital channels by operation of thePCDs connected by the peer-to-peer digital connection; and exchangingsubstantially the same information with each of the one or more otherPCDs using the wireless transceiver.